Sanbor goes soft on beef issue, blames Opp parties
MLA writes to Assam CM, praises his leadership
Shillong, Dec 12: After taking an aggressive stand against ban on consumption of beef in Assam’s restaurants and public places, BJP’s South Shillong MLA Sanbor Shullai blamed Opposition parties stating they will take advantage of the situation.
Im a letter addressed to Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, Shullai also praised the leadership of Sarma
On December 6, while speaking to reporters , Sanbor said, “I am here today as a BJP Sanbor. My BJP style of functioning is different. In Assam, the style of functioning is different. Here is BJP Sanbor.”I have already prepared to send my message to the Centre. A copy will also be sent to Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma that we feel bad and sorry that he should not do all these things. We have the law to restrict criminals but in terms of edible things they should not restrict. In any part of the world or under the Constitution of India, there is no law that restricts or bans consumption of any type of meat. When you travel all over the world, Bangkok, Malaysia, Indonesia, European and Asian countries, they even eat snakes, rats, insects, scorpions but there is no restriction. So why should they restrict the eating of beef. I oppose. It is people’s choice, two months ago I had eaten dog meat along with my wife. We eat dogs. I used to eat dogs when I was young. Now also two months back, my friend sent dog meat and I ate nicely with my wife. So what?. Why suddenly you ban? It is your choice if you want to eat snakes or if you want to eat beef, such diktats will not be allowed in Meghalaya.
“I will stand firmly, here it will not happen. As long as bah Sanbor is alive, I will not ban. This is an independent state. We can eat snakes, beef, scorpions, insects and whatever we like. Eat and enjoy. Christmas is coming now. Eat everything, Christmas and New Year is coming. Let us enjoy. Happy Christmas and New Year in advance”.
However, in the letter to Himanta, Sanbor took a diplomatic stand.
The text of the letter addressed to Assam CM below
“It gives me immense pleasure to extend the warmest season’s greetings to you Sir from the people of Meghalaya. You have always been a source of inspiration for our people. The achievements the state of Assam have made under your guidance is highly commendable, which is often cited as extraordinary leadership. For the entire north eastern states Assam has always played elder siblings role in bonding a United northeast. Thus we look upon for greater role and responsibilities in transforming northeast as per our Honourable Prime Minister vision of “Act East” policy.
Sir as you are aware the northeast consists of various tribes and indigenous people whose food habits are in line with our culture and we the people are not against any religion nor do we want to hurt any religious sentiments. However the recent ban of beef in Assam has caused a stir, in our state and has been used by our opposition parties to give it a direction that it is the hidden agenda of the NDA to ban beef in the entire country. Although it has been repeatedly clarified by central leaders that food habit is a state subject, opposition parties have played an evil role in spreading wrong information among the indigenous communities of the state and region.
The beef ban in Assam has created concern among the residents of Meghalaya for a hike in beef prices due to this ban considering the festive season Christmas and New year in the state. The local legitimate bovine traders have repeatedly submitted their grievances regarding bringing the bovine animals from other states to Meghalaya for legitimate business, agriculture and allied purposes. Meghalaya being a landlocked state has road connectivity to other states only through Assam. The local people are predominantly engaged in agriculture and allied activities, including cattle rearing, dairy farming, organic farming and other livestock related economic activities. The local bovine animals traders are already suffering due to section 7(1), (i), (ii) and (7) of the Assam cattle preservation act 2021. Sir it is a well known fact that beef is one of the main staple food of the people of the state and about 60% of the beef requirements in the state is met through import from other states. So on behalf of the people of Meghalaya, I would like to request your kind intervention in smooth flow of transportation of bovine animals to the state of Meghalaya for traders and vehicles having valid documents provided by the state authority.
However all the points made above are made keeping in view of the food habits of the indigenous people of Meghalaya and it has nothing to do with the religious sentiments of any community and the people here are not against the religious belief of any community and we highly respect the culture and traditions of others. You are a role model for all the political leaders across the northeast and we do hope that you continue to deliver with your various developmental activities for Assam and other North-eastern states with a broader regional perspective”.
Sanbor Shullai
